Disney non animated movies

profile In a career filled with a string of increasingly improbable sequels, Steve Jobs may have always been fated to play the role of movie mogul. Now, with the $7.4 billion sale of his Pixar Animation Studios to Walt Disney, on terms that make him the venerable movie conglomerate's largest shareholder, Jobs is moving more deeply into a Hollywood that he's always held somewhat at arm's length. The deal marks a personal triumph for Jobs and the studio that has redefined American animation over the last decade. But it also serves as a reminder of just how much the high-tech, entrepreneurial culture of Silicon Valley has helped upend an entertainment business once defined by the films and other products of Disney. "We consider (Pixar) to be the Disney studio of the 21st century," said Doug Ward, the manager of the animation program at the University of California at Los Angeles, which has sent several of its alumni to Pixar. "Disney really lost its place a few years ago, and now … [Read more...] about Steve Jobs’ rise to movie mogul

Mobile users in China can now download a variety of content from the Walt Disney collection that has been optimized for the smaller form factor. According to Nobert Chang, China vice president and general manager of mobile operations at Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG), the company will offer a range of Disney content including animated wallpaper, ringtones, e-comics, movie trailers and games, that has been tailor-made for the mobile platform. WDIG is the technology arm of The Walt Disney Company. Officially launched Thursday at the ChinaJoy digital entertainment and games conference, running in Shanghai this week from Jul. 12 to Jul. 15, WDIG's new mobile services can now be accessed at a centralized Web site via a general packet radio service (GPRS)-enabled phone, Chang said in a phone interview. The Beijing-based executive added that support will be extended to 3G users in the future when the network is available in China. Mobile Disney game, Secret of the Magic Gourd … [Read more...] about China’s mobile world of Disney

Capturing an actor’s facial performance in a three-dimensional environment is key to believable animations in movies and video games. The process of accurately modeling a performer’s face — and their full range of expressions — is no easy task, however. But with a new method developed by Disney Research, it’s about to become much simpler.Unlike traditional facial-performance-capture techniques, which rely on multiple cameras to read depth information, this new method uses only a single camera. And no, it doesn’t require a light-field camera or any other non-traditional imaging device. In fact, the researchers even demonstrated it using both a GoPro and an iPhone, according to a press release first seen on Phys.org.Single-camera facial-performance capture isn’t completely new, but existing methods require a complex computer model of an actor’s face to be developed ahead of time. That model has to be built with many different expressions … [Read more...] about Disney Research develops method to capture 3D facial performances with a single camera

Disney has been shuffling around its release calendar, and there’s good and bad news for fans of its collaborations with Pixar. On the bright side, Cars 3 and The Incredibles 2 each got a release date, but those eagerly awaiting Toy Story 4 will be sad to know that its will now hit theaters later than expected. Woody, Buzz, and the gang had to give up their June 16, 2017 release date for Lightning McQueen and crew.Each of the three computer-animated films will get a June release, which is perfect for all of the kids who will be kicking off their summer vacations. Cars 3 leads the pack with its 2017 date, and then Toy Story 4 will hit theaters almost exactly a year later, on June 15, 2018. Incredibles 2 will follow on June 21, 2019.The official Disney-Pixar Twitter account shared release dates for their films through 2019, letting fans know exactly when to expect what.Squeezed in between familiar franchises is another Disney and Pixar … [Read more...] about Disney and Pixar set release dates for Cars 3 and Incredibles 2, push back Toy Story 4

If you’ve got children, Netflix Instant is already a Godsend. And now it appears the video-streaming leader has even more kid-friendly material to stream your kids’ way. A Netflix spokesman confirmed today that the company has inked a deal with Sony Animation Films, bringing the production company’s animated features (specifically, within the first pay-TV window) to Netflix’s U.S. subscribers, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The animated films were excluded from a separate licensing deal that Sony has with Starz, a representative from the latter confirmed.The multi-year agreement kicks off this year with the addition of the 2013 films Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and The Smurfs 2 to Netflix’s catalog. A Wall Street analyst, Tony Wible, noticed this week that Cloudy 2 was available for streaming on Netflix, correctly concluding that the streaming service had made an as-of-yet unannounced deal with Sony. A Netflix … [Read more...] about Netflix nabs Sony licensing agreement, tightens grip on animated movies in US

What’s the point in having a room full of awesome home theater gear if you can’t enjoy the best it has to offer? Not all Blu-rays are created equal. Some are hardly better than a DVD when it comes to high definition picture and sound. With that in mind, here’s our official list of the best movies to own on Blu-ray. A solid video transfer and impressive sound were important factors in our decision-making process, but the movies’ overall quality was also taken into consideration, along with whether the releases are of legendary stature or considered cult classics — at least, most of them… Ahem — we’re looking at you, Pacific Rim…If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a list centered around the best Blu-rays to show off your home theater, you’ll find that right here. Multiple members of the Digital Trends staff contributed to this list. Avatar: Blu-ray 3D editionJames Cameron’s incredibly successful and … [Read more...] about Best Blu-ray movies

The big red streaming service and the House of Mouse have struck a new deal, and this one will have Canadians reaping the benefits. Walt Disney Studios and Netflix announced yesterday that the two companies have penned a new multi-year licensing agreement that will effectively make Netflix the exclusive Canadian subscription TV service with first-run Disney feature films, of both the live-action and animated variety.According to the official press release, Netflix Canada members will be able to enjoy new titles – starting with Disney flicks released in 2015 – eight months after they leave theaters, which the release claims is faster than they traditionally take to make their way to premium pay-TV. The movies will come from a variety of Disney-owned sources, including Disney Live Action, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Disneynature and DreamWorks Studios.Launched in 2010, … [Read more...] about Netflix Canada pens deal for exclusive first-run streaming rights to new Disney movies

For those who were thinking that perhaps the Walt Disney Company was preparing to launch a streaming media offering of its own in the US that could possibly act as a Netflix competitor (if not downright Netflix killer, considering the various pies in which the House of Mouse has its white-gloved fingers), then today’s latest VOD development might have come as a slight surprise: Disney has, in fact, signed a new deal with Netflix that will see the latter take over the television rights to the Disney properties come 2016. Who saw that one coming?Officially, the deal means that Netflix will have the exclusive US rights to movies from Walt Disney Studios films for three years, starting in 2016, as well as non-exclusive streaming rights to movies in the Disney back catalog, including Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland and more recent animated fare including Pocahontas. The 2016 date marks the end of Disney’s existing TV rights deal with cable company Starz, which currently holds rights … [Read more...] about Disney inks new Pay-TV deal with… Netflix?

The Walt Disney Company and Pixar announced today that Disney has agreed to acquire animation house Pixar for an all stock deal valued at $7.4 billion. The deal has been approved by the boards of both companies, and is expected to be completed by mid-2006. Pixar President Ed Catnull will serve as the President of the new Pixar and Disney animation studios, and John Lassetter (considered by many to be the crown jewel of Pixar) will serve as Chief Creative Officer of the studios, as well as Principal Creative Advisor at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he’ll contribute to Disney theme park attractions. And what of Pixar’s iconic CEO Steve Jobs, also CEO of Apple Computer and in control of about half Pixar’s stock? He’ll be joining Disney’s Board of Directors as one of three non-independent members. “Disney and Pixar can now collaborate without the barriers that come from two different companies with two different sets of shareholders,” said … [Read more...] about Disney to Acquire Pixar for $7.4 Bln

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Liam Neeson has grounded the "The Lego Movie." Get the Free Tracker App to find a Luvabella in Stock The action star's airliner thriller "Non-Stop" arrived in first place at the weekend box office, effectively ending the Warner Bros. animated film's three-week blockade at the top spot. The Universal film stars Neeson as a federal air marshal on a doomed flight. "Non-Stop" ascended in its first weekend with $30 million, according to studio estimates Sunday."I think the fact that audiences were ready for a suspense thriller was a lot to do with the film's success, and obviously Liam is an absolute box office draw," said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal. "One of the main reasons people were coming to see the film was Liam."Fox's "Son of God" debuted closely behind "Non-Stop" in second place with $26.5 million. The film recounts the story of Jesus' life using footage from the production of History Channel's 10-part miniseries "The Bible." Paul … [Read more...] about ‘Non-Stop’ Lands At No. 1 At Weekend Box Office